Changing to a low fat diet: attitudes and beliefs of UK consumers

A questionnaire on attitudes and beliefs regarding low fat diets was mailed to 2000 consumers throughout the United Kingdom. Information was also obtained about present fat intake by means of a food frequency questionnaire. A total of 665 (33%) questionnaires were returned of which 390 (20%) were completed correctly and used in the present analysis. Respondents were divided into tertiles for percentage energy from fat, allowing classification into low, medium and high fat intake groups, and no consistent differences emerged in the attitudes and beliefs of respondents. The majority of people were familiar with current guidelines concerning reduction of fat intake and accepted the putative health benefits of adopting lower fat diets. Regardless of actual fat intake, the majority of people felt that their diet was healthy and was not high in fat, and indicated that they had already reduced their fat intake. A major barrier to reducing fat intake in the UK may therefore be associated with a general failure to recognize what comprises effective dietary change.